Novaskill helps job-seekers across the Hunter and Newcastle region get job-ready through apprenticeships, traineeships and pre-apprenticeships, with support from an experienced training provider established in 1980.
You earn a wage while you train, gain a nationally recognised qualification, and get matched with a host employer. Our team supports you from your first enquiry to the day you finish.
Novaskill connects job-seekers with paid, nationally recognised training that leads to real work in the Hunter and Newcastle region. There are three ways in:
As a Registered Training Organisation (a nationally recognised provider of vocational education and training), Novaskill has supported local people into employment since 1980. Whether you are leaving school, changing careers or returning to work, the guides below explain your options, what you need to know before you start, and how to take the first step.
An apprenticeship is paid employment combined with structured training toward a trade qualification, such as carpentry, electrotechnology or automotive, and usually runs for three to four years. A traineeship works the same way (earn while you learn, with a nationally recognised qualification) but covers non-trade vocational roles like business, hospitality or community services, and is generally shorter. Read more in Apprenticeships and Traineeships: What You Need to Know.
Most people can start an apprenticeship or traineeship with Novaskill, including school leavers, career changers and people returning to work. There is generally no upper age limit, and you do not need prior experience to begin. Eligibility for a specific role depends on the employer and the qualification, so contact the Novaskill team to confirm what you qualify for. The How We Can Help guide explains the support available.
To apply, browse the latest roles on the Novaskill Current Opportunities page and submit your details for any position that suits you. The Novaskill team will then guide you through the next steps, from matching you to a host employer to setting up your training. If you are not sure which path fits you, start with a pre-apprenticeship to build job-ready skills first.
If you are not ready for an apprenticeship, a pre-apprenticeship is the ideal first step. A pre-apprenticeship is short, entry-level training that builds the practical skills, safety knowledge and confidence employers look for. Learn how it works on the Novaskill Pre-Apprenticeships page, or explore the different ways to study with Novaskill.